Moscow invented a new profession “BRICS-ologist”

The newly created National Committee for BRICS Studies is aimed to determine the role of the BRICS countries in the global economy and political arena.

The inaugural meeting of the Academic
Council of the National Committee for BRICS Studies was held on September 13, at the World Trade Center in Moscow. The meeting was held as part
of the ongoing Russia and India Discussion Forum: Partnership in a Global
Format, which is organized by the Russkiy Mir Foundation.

The National Committee for BRICS
Studies is a noncommercial organization created on the order of President
Dmitry Medvedev by the Russkiy Mir Foundation and the Russian Academy of
Sciences with support from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian
Federation. The committee will function as an umbrella structure, forming and
coordinating the work of research groups from various academic centers and
regions of Russia. Over time it is expected that foreign specialists will be
engaged in this work as well. The main aim of the work is to determine the role
of the BRICS countries in the global economy and political arena. The Academic
Council will act as a center for developing the strategy for the research work
and publishing activities of the organization.

The first meeting of the council was attended by well-known diplomats, academics and political scientists. Member of the council include Russkiy Mir Executive Director Vyacheslav Nikonov, Director of the Institute of the Far East (RAS) Academic Mikhail Titarenko, Director of the Institute of Latin American (RAS) Academic Vladimir Davydov, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergei Ryabkov, Rector of MIGIMO University Anatoly Torkunov, Ambassador-at-Large of the Russian Federation Vadim Lukov, Director of the Institute of World Economy and International Relations (RAS) Alexander Dynkin, Director of the Institute of Economics (RAS) Ruslan Grinberg and Director of the Institute of Oriental Studies (RAS) Vitaly Naukin.

Mikhail Titarenko was elected
chairman of the presidium while Vyacheslav Nikonov will head the executive
board of the organization and handle it management.

Speaking at the meeting, Vyacheslav
Nikonov noted that BRICS was no longer just a virtual concept – it has become a
reality. The political alliance is being reinforced with institutions, and the
growth rate of the economies of the BRICS exceeds that of the rest of the world
and the political influence of these five has also substantially increased.
Simultaneously, the BRICS are becoming more important in Russia’s foreign
policy as well.

Having read a welcoming message from
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, Ambassador Vadim Lukov, who oversees
relations with BRICS countries for Russia, noted that participation in the
organization for Russia amounts to something of a civilizational choice.
Participating in this organization which represents 3 billion people provides
some advantages for our country. The positioning of the alliance in the world
has not yet been completed, and Russia as one of its founders has a unique
opportunity to influence this process, the diplomat said.

The meeting was presentational in nature and did not last very long.
However, its participants managed to make a number of proposals with regard to
the organization and focus areas of the new organization. One of the main
concerns of the National Committee for BRICS Studies, according to those
speaking at the meeting, should be preparing people to care out the proposed
studies. As Vyacheslav Nikonov joked, “we are witnessing the birth of new
profession – the Bricsologist.”